Archive for the ‘Creative Flow’ Category

Most people who visit my office for the first time do a double take. From the door my office seems normal. A table and chairs, bookshelf, filing cabinet, and whiteboard. Then a curious look forms as they realize that the traditional desk has been replaced by modular cubicle units to create my standing work station. “You mean you stand like this all day?” “No,” I tell them, “unfortunately, I spend a lot of time sitting in meetings.” So far, no one has taken me up on the challenge to try it for themselves. Perhaps it’s just too unconventional. But then, we’re not all suited to try out-of-the-box ideas.

Let’s Get Physical

The transition to a standing desk began ten years ago and I’ve never looked back. At first, I wasn’t too concerned with middle-age spread, it was more an outlet for my fidget factor. Now that I’m barely on speaking terms with my body-in-transition, any extra movement is vital to keeping away those extra pounds that seems to go straight to my midsection. Standing provides more opportunity to move and change positions frequently. Standing also prevents the slumping posture I tend to melt into when sitting for long periods of time. Most of the articles I’ve read about ergonomics stress changing positions as the key to preventing repetitive motion injury. Standing all day without moving or changing positions is no better than sitting all day. The key is to keep moving. Standing naturally encourages me to move about. Propping a foot on a stool under the desk helps maintain good spine alignment and posture. For those times when I need to sit, the table and chairs do the trick.

The next progression is to adopt a walking workstation. Physician James Levine pioneered the concept of walking workstations with his visionary office of the future. Expensive pre-fab models such as these at Steelcase may be worth the investment for long term health and well-being, although most anyone with tools and creative ingenuity could transform their own treadmill with a few dollars and some time. Since I am constantly on the run in my job, I really don’t need a treadmill just yet, but it would be a great option if I find myself in front of a computer most of the workday.

Avoid Brain Drain

Over the years, there were times when I had no option but to sit. Some were short while I waited for maintenance to reposition the cubicle desk height and others took much longer to find a creative solution. At one company my employer was skeptical, but approved my request if I could do it without buying any new furniture. A found bookcase and unused cart of the right height were fashioned into a standing work area. What does this have to do with brain drain, you ask? Through an entirely un-scientific study comparing sitting periods versus standing periods, it became clear to me that productivity, logical thinking, decision-making, and creativity improved with standing work. I have two theories about this. First, the frequency of getting up to move about interrupted my thought process while sitting. Second, standing allows my body energy to flow freely. I just feel more clear-headed when I stand to work, especially during those afternoon slump periods we all have. Since standing work areas are not standard office furniture, I needed to engage my creativity several times to design a work area that fit. Getting the creative juices flowing stimulates other brain functions and I’ve found that ideas flow more freely when I’m standing. An added bonus of the standing office is that pop-in visitors don’t stay as long since conducting business while standing gets us to the point faster.

Standing to work has many benefits. Constant physical movement, better posture, and increased productivity top the list. Of greater value for me is that standing to work provides an environment of energy and clarity needed to reach a flow state. There are many paths to finding flow at work. A standing desk is just one avenue that works for me. What are your creative ideas to find flow at work?